As we count down the days to the release of Star Wars Episode VII there will no doubt be a plethora of news and information coming our way. Rumours unfounded, rumours that come true, fabrication, insinuation, big reveals and much, much more.

But as time progresses there will be an inordinate amount of focus levelled at the contents of the film itself. What worlds will we see? What vehicles will they fly? All good questions but undoubtedly the biggest query is, what characters will be returning?

There’s a natural inclination to expect many of the characters we last saw in Return of the Jedi back in 1983 to be returning for Star Wars Episode VII, partly because the audience expects it but also because it will no doubt ease that audience into the new adventures with the new characters we are about to be introduced to.

That’s entirely understandable. We’ve spent over 30 years wondering what happened to our heroes after the destruction of the second Death Star, and while we have followed their adventures in the pages of comics and novels these stories are almost certainly about to be entirely negated as the Expanded Universe set after Return of the Jedi looks set to be wiped out to clear the path for the new trilogy.

But if you had the choice of which characters will return, who would they be, and why? Here’s an entirely logical look at the characters most likely to be coming back.

1. Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker (Picture: Star Wars)

The most obvious choice. If only one of the ‘Big Three‘ were to come back, Luke is where the smart money would lie.

He defeated the Emperor at the end of the last film, helped redeem his father and – logically – would go on to restore freedom to the Republic and bring back the Jedi. BUT, hold your horses. This train of logic is derailed by the fact that now the post-Jedi EU has (most likely) been sidelined to the status of ‘Infinities’ (the name given to Star Wars stories set in an alternate universe).

Star Wars Episode VII could just as likely open with a down and out, devastated Luke scrambling for an existence in a shattered Republic overrun by a newly risen Sith Empire. If that’s the case, he’s the one man you’d want on your side as he’s one for one when it comes to restoring Republics.

2. Han Solo

Han Solo (Picture: Star Wars)

What other reason do you need for him being in the film than he’s Han Solo! The single coolest character in Star Wars, or any other film, he’s the character who arguably went through the biggest character arc in the Original Trilogy (he went from shooting Greedo in cold blood in the first film to giving his starship to the guy who only a year before had turned him into a coffee table in the third) and he got the girl to boot.

To see him at the helm of the Millennium Falcon again schooling the younger characters would be brilliant. And with the mighty Chewbacca, even better.

3. Princess Leia

Princess Leia (Picture: Star Wars)

To see Her Highness back in charge, shouting the odds to her reckless underlings would be as priceless as ever, and to imagine her world-weary sighs after decades of adventures would bring us right back to the vibe of the Original Trilogy.

Logically you would assume that she’s a leader in the Rebellion (or the Republic) but there’s no official clue regarding the details of her rule. Star Wars Episode VII could easily open with Leia in charge of an Empire.

Sound crazy? Remember Revenge of the Sith, when the Republic inverted into the Empire galaxy wide almost overnight thanks to the Emperors devious plans and Order 66.

4. See-Threepio

See-Threepio (Picture: Star Wars)

We already know that Artoo-Detoo will be present, but what of his protocol droid counterpart? We saw an earlier incarnation of Threepio in the Prequel Trilogy, and thanks to the fact he essentially doesn’t age – not in the sense that organics do – he should be on classic Original Trilogy form, bickering with Artoo like the hard-skinned Laurel and Hardy that they are.

According to a post on Jedi News, Billy Dee Williams has yet to be approached for the role in the 7th film, but a smart bet would be on the presence of the coolest cat in the galaxy making an appearance in the film.

He’s a gambler, con man, baron administrator, rogue but in a fight you wouldn’t want anyone else on your side.

A massive fan favourite, wouldn’t it be brilliant to see Han and Lando back together one more time? But given nothing is set in stone in the new film, we could be looking at a Lando who’s hit hard times, much like Watto in Attack of the Clones. The odds on that happening? 3725-1.

There’s a literal telephone directory of characters who could come back for the new trilogy, but the likelihood is that a massive majority of them will be new and original characters. Peppering them with these classic Original Trilogy characters – if done right – should make Star Wars Episode VII very special indeed.

Metro Blogs is a place for opinions. These opinions belong to the author and are not necessarily shared by Metro.